Well, I’ve just about recovered from a wild weekend baking at a packed and perfect Cadstock with the Barry Massive, and quite a few fans from Wales and wider.
What a stunning success the weekend was. The bands were brilliant, the crowds were cool, the vibe was victorious, and whoever ordered the weather played an absolute blinder.
Cadstock was always one of the focal points of the Barry calendar, almost trebling in size since it began in 2009, with 2019’s decade celebration one of the biggest and bestest events the town has ever seen.
It was always a risky rush throwing it together in a few short months after a long two-year music drought. But our small but perfectly formed volunteer Committee pulled it off.
The event was back with a bang bringing us Barrians a weekender with something for everyone from ska to soft rock, mod to metal, punk to funk – and some sweet soul music too.
Respect to founder Jonathan Greatrex. Thanks also to the bands, the choirs, the security, the cleaners, the litter pickers, and the police.
But of course, the one special ingredient that keeps Cadstock Alive is our cracking community spirit.
Our superb sense of solidarity runs right through our residents like a stick of Barry Island rock.
And never has this been more totally tested as our town lives in the aftermath of riding the Coronacoaster of lonely, no love lost, Lockdown.
Our town may have been battered by Covid cancellations, that have ripped up our community calendar, but as always, our rallying residents are pulled together to keep the Cadstock vibe alive.
For me community is not just anyone living in the same place, it means a group of like-minded people who share the same interests, who stick together through a strong sense of unity, and often, the deep desire to make a difference.
Barry, I’ve just summed you up beautifully.
Thank you to everyone who has tackled the frenzied fall out from this crazy Covid-19 head on to help our householders, rally our residents, and make our corner of wonderful Wales a better and brighter place.
Keep on keeping on, behind the scenes or on the streets, to get us pasat this paralysing pandemic together, and to fight for all that our terrific town needs, and deeply deserves.
That’s the, Community, Spirit.
Speak soon.
Mrs SVJ
The Voice of Our Community
DATE FOR DIARY: Cadstock 2023 Fundraiser. Barry Island Sports and Social Club. February 2023.
Cadstock 2023 is on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th 2023.
Watch this space.
Sue Vincent-Jones, blogging as Mrs SVJ, is a Barry born journalist, editor, and activist. She writes about Barry – and her life in the wider world, through the eyes of a, quirky and queer, local girl done good.
Written exclusively for the Vale’s newest newspaper, and digital platform, The Glamorgan Star,her latest ‘Passing Comment’ column, an addition to the infamous Sue’s Views collection, can be found here.
Mrs SVJ, Barry’s Boldest Blogger, can be contacted here.